1,2,3, Go! Get Walking and running for charity
(Or maybe 'walkies'): three ways to get some exercise - all in a great cause... 1 Dogs Unite! for Guide Dogs (14th June) Fundraise for four-legged heroes at the sponsored dog walk at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. There’s family fun with dog shows and displays, guide dogs to meet, plus pooch party bags. Entry is £20 for adults and children over 12, and free for under-13s and dogs. Find out more at www.dogsunite.org.uk/0845-600 678
2 Race for Life (May to August) DJ and TV presenter Edith Bowman, whose family has been affected by cancer, is supporting Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2014. There are almost 300 events taking place across the UK . For women and children only, entry to the races is £14.99 for adults and £10 for six-to-15-year-olds (under-sixes free). Go to www.raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org, 0845-600 605
3 Tunnel 2 Towers London(20th July) The Fire Fighters Charity is organising its third 5 km run in London, inspired by the New York Tunnel to Towers Run in memory of the emergency services workers who died on 9/11. If you can’t make the run, there are lots of fundraising ideas to support the charity, which helps fire and rescue workers and their families who have suffered in body or mind. For more information, go to www.firefighterscharity.org.uk, 01256 366581.
Q. I suffer from migraine attacks, which often involve severe nausea and vomiting. My mouth tastes horrible afterwards so I want to brush my teeth, but I have heard this may damage them.
A. Stomach juices are acidic, which is why cosmetic dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye (londonsmiling.com) does not recommend brushing straight after being sick, as acid weakens teeth and brushing then may damage them.
Instead she recommends using a fluoride mouthwash (such as the alcohol-free Oral-B Complete Mouthwash, £2.99 for 500 ml/www.boots.com) to help neutralise the effect of the acid. Alternatively, chew sugar-free gum (eg, Peppersmith 100% Xylitol Chewing Gum in mint flavours, £15.99 for 120 pellets at www.amazon.co.uk) for ten minutes.
As most migraines begin at night, Dr Okoye recommends brushing every evening with an effective electric brush (e.g. Oral-B Triumph 5000/£79.99 at www.ocado.com) so that your mouth and teeth are squeaky-clean.
Dr Okoye also suggests that migraine sufferers ask their dentist about making a hard occlusal splint: ‘Often patients grind their teeth at night and the muscles around the head and neck go into spasm, causing pain. The splint allows your dentist to programme a specific bite, helping to reduce grinding. Also, as the plastic is softer than your teeth, it allows your muscles to relax. But make sure it is not a soft splint, as that can make things worse.’
BOOK OF THE WEEK
OVERCOMING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS by Professor George Jelinek (Allen & Unwin/£12.99). George Jelinek is an academic physician who, in 1999, was diagnosed with MS – his mother was also a sufferer, and died of the condition. From his analysis of medical research, he concluded that MS is largely determined by lifestyle factors. His book covers diet, exercise, meditation, preventing depression and resolving emotional issues. I gave it to a friend with MS who said it was the most useful book she had read: ‘He [Jelinek] is perfectly placed to analyse medical data and research and to evaluate their worth. I found it invaluable.’
KEEP YOUR BACK ON TRACK
Like many people who work on computers, I often have an aching neck and shoulders, exacerbated by carrying a bag on one side. Specially designed holdalls from the Healthy Back Bag company promise to distribute weight along the length of your spine, whereas most bags pull away from your body so that you twist to compensate. I road-tested one (Summer Sheer Orange Sorbet/£59) on a three-day work trip recently and didn’t have any of my usual aches and pains – it held everything I needed and I loved the extra pockets. From £29/www.healthybackbag.co.uk.